Patient resources
Braces Care Sheet
We’ve put together this Braces Care Sheet to help you take the best care of your braces throughout treatment.
Your guide
A guide to taking care of your teeth and braces
Congratulations on getting your braces on! We know that this is new for you and there are some things to get used to. During the time your braces are on, it’s essential you protect your mouth by following some basic guidelines for caring for your braces and teeth. This information sheet covers 1) Foods to avoid, 2) Oral hygiene instructions, and 3) What to do if you have a poking wire or loose bracket.
Section 1
Foods to avoid
Whether you have braces or not, it is always recommended that you eat a healthy and balanced diet. It’s important you avoid foods that increase the risk of cavities or tooth decay or could damage your braces. Here is a list of foods you should avoid for healthy teeth and to maintain your braces:
Forbidden hard foods
- Popcorn
- Pizza Crusts
- Hard Candy
- Ice
- Nuts
- Corn Chips
- Jerky
- Corn on the Cob
Forbidden soft foods
- Caramel
- Bubble Gum
- Gummy Bears
- Taffy
- Sugar Daddy
- Starburst
- Tootsie Rolls
Other tips
- Whole fruits and vegetables such as apples and carrots should be cooked or cut into small pieces and eaten carefully
- Avoid soda and sugary drinks
- Use common sense when choosing food to put in your mouth and avoid chewing on hard objects such as pens and pencils
Section 2
Oral hygiene instructions
It’s extremely important that you have good dental hygiene at all times, but especially so while you’re wearing braces.
- Brush after every meal with a soft-bristled brush and ADA-approved fluoridated toothpaste.
- Electric and manual toothbrushes both work. What really matters is that you brush all the surfaces of the teeth around the braces themselves – above and below the braces.
- Clean between your teeth with a water pick, interdental brushes or floss threaders, since flossing with braces can be very difficult.
- Feel awkward brushing at school? You can swish with a cleansing mouthwash that your orthodontist can recommend.
- Avoid whitening toothpaste while your braces are on: only the exposed areas of your teeth would be whitened.
- Keep up your regular cleanings and checkups with your dentist during treatment.
Carry a braces kit
Keep one in your backpack or locker:
- A soft-bristled toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
- Dental wax and lip balm to soothe irritation from braces
- A small mirror to check for food stuck in your braces
- Extra rubber bands, if you wear elastics
- A case for removable appliances
After your braces come off
Wearing your retainers is a part of your orthodontic treatment. Retainers help stabilize your teeth after braces – and retain their new alignment.
It’s recommended that you wear your retainer full time for anywhere from 4–12 months following the removal of your braces. After that time, you will need to wear it at night indefinitely.
If your retainer breaks or is misplaced, call your office to schedule an appointment.
Section 3
What to do if you have a poking wire or loose bracket
01
Watch our video guide
If a wire is poking, broken, or sticking out, our video shows how to temporarily fix the issue until you can visit Axelrode Orthodontics for professional care.
02
Cover sharp spots with wax
Orthodontic wax may cover a sharp area and reduce rubbing. Soft foods can also be easier to manage when your mouth feels tender.
03
Call your office
Tell us what happened and when, where the problem is, and whether a bracket, wire, band or appliance is affected. Our team can tell you whether you need an earlier visit or a simple comfort measure until your appointment.
Please don’t
- Pull on a loose bracket or appliance
- Keep wearing something sharp, badly distorted or painful unless our team tells you to
- Try a complicated repair at home
When it’s urgent
Call 911 or go to an emergency department when an injury affects breathing, causes serious bleeding, or may involve the jaw or face.
Contact a dentist promptly for an injured or knocked-out tooth, and let us know too: your braces may need to be checked.
If you need more help, you can call us:
Printable version
Download the braces care sheet
The same guide as a two-page PDF to print and keep at home.
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